Taqlid and the Misgiving of Blind Obedience

In Shia religious thought, Taqlid which means following and imitating involves a non-specialist (Moqallid) following a specialist (Mujtahid) with regard to religious laws (Ahkam). After investigating and ensuring the qualifications of the specialist, the non-specialist is supposed to freely choose the most knowledgeable specialist. If he/she does not do and then follow one who is not knowledgeable enough, his/her actions will not be accepted by Allah. The non-specialist is given the right to ask for reasons behind religious laws and the specialist is supposed to provide responses based on religious criteria. In other words, Taqlid which is consistent with the Wise Men’s Ideas does not mean absolute commitment and blind obedience. The Wise Men’s Ideas put emphasis on providing reasons and consider it as a necessity. Also, every religious law is accompanied by some reasons from Islamic resources: the Holy Quran, the Prophet (PBUH) and the infallible and virtuous Alhe Al-Bayt (AS) which are the most valid resources accessible to human being. These resources themselves encourage the human being to investigate and ask for reasons. Taqlid is sometimes questioned, attacked and challenged by some individuals who have no expertise and are opposed to religion. They imagine Taqlid in Shia thought to be blind obedience and imitation as some other branches believe so. It is the matter: (a) Is Taqlid another form of blind obedience which is common in newly-appeared mysticisms? (b) What are the fundamental differences between them? Taqlid plays a central role in identifying, choosing and walking in the straight path; thus it is needed to be investigated and is one of the hotly debated and discussed necessities.